This archive report was first published on 4 November 2019.
Chief Justice David Maraga has expressed his deep concern over the Treasury's recent budget cuts, which he claims will severely impact the judiciary's operations. The cuts, amounting to Sh3 billion, were made last September, citing revenue shortfalls and the need to fund President Uhuru Kenyatta's Big Four agenda.
Speaking during a press briefing, Maraga stated that the judiciary will struggle to maintain its services, including mobile courts, court of Appeal circuits, and e-filing and e-payments, if the budget cuts are not reversed.
“Unless the budget cuts are reversed, we do not have money for fuel, we will not have mobile courts, we will not have the court of Appeal circuits, we will not be able to pay for wi-fi for the e-filing and e-payments, plans to automate corruption courts will halt,” Maraga said.
Maraga also expressed his frustration with the lack of respect shown to him and the judiciary by the executive. He claimed that he has been treated with contempt, citing instances where he was not accorded the respect due to his office in state functions.
“The CJ has no Mercedes car, he is not accorded the respect due to his office in state functions. The last Mashujaa Day, the CJ walked to the dias through a side walk and the MC did not acknowledge his arrival. The CJ is not accorded the respect of his office. I have decided that until that happens, I will choose which State functions to attend,” Maraga said.
Maraga also threatened to boycott President Uhuru Kenyatta's functions until he is accorded the respect due to his office. He cited an instance where he was not allowed to access the VIP lounge at JKIA, despite being treated well in other countries.
“I have decided that until that happens, I will choose which State functions to attend. I cannot access the VIP lounge at JKIA yet when I go to other countries I am treated very well. Here we have a lounge that is locked. Why do we spend so much money to build a lounge that is locked for years on end?” Maraga asked.
Maraga also condemned interference on the work of the judiciary by other arms of government, terming it as an attempt to control the judiciary. He emphasized that each arm of government must keep to its lane.
“Each arm of government must keep to its lane,” Maraga said.
Maraga assured all judges and magistrates that he will protect them against all forms of attack, but challenged them not to be compromised in their work. He also alleged plans to oust him from office before expiry of his term.
“Some Cabinet secretaries are saying I will go before the year ends, kumbe hii Kenya ina wenyewe?” Maraga said.
On the war against graft, Maraga called on Kenyans to be patient and allow the Judiciary and the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to follow the rule of law in dealing with corruption related cases.
